Publican backs photo ID system in grog crackdown

A Tennant Creek publican says the use of photo licensing ID systems is the only way to police the town's voluntary alcohol restrictions.

Bottle shops in the town are using the scanners and computer databases previously used to enforce the banned drinker register (BDR).

The town is halfway through a three-month trial which limits sales of spirits, wine and full-strength beer.

Jordan Jenkins from the Tennant Creek Hotel says without the systems the restrictions would be pointless.

"It's very easy for someone to get around and go to the five different venues and purchase one at each place, so it sort of makes that restriction pointless, so ... it was left here and we continue to use it," he said.

"Without utilising the BDR it sort makes those restrictions, you know you are at risk of breaching your licence and it makes it almost impossible to manually remember who you've served and write [it] down."